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03.29.2008 | SPRINGFIELD -- New traffic lights are installed at the intersection of Main Street and Harrison Avenue. It will cost Springfield less to operate these and other lights after the city locked in favorable rates on 135 million kilowatts of electricity for a 35-month period.
(Photo by The Republican [file])

SPRINGFIELD — City officials expect to save $7.5 million in electricity costs during the next three years from participating in an online energy auction, Mayor Domenic J. Sarno announced Friday.

In a budget-trimming initiative, the city locked in favorable rates on 135 million kilowatts of electricity for a 35-month period beginning July 1, Sarno said. The electricity was purchased during a Sept. 19 auction on the World Energy Exchange, with the guidance of city consultant World Energy Solutions, Inc.

During the auction, the city received 71 competitive bids from providers, effectively driving prices down by $2.6 million annually during the 35-month period.

“I have directed my team to turn over every stone and achieve savings while at the same time ensuring delivery of services to our residents,” Sarno said at a news conference at Van Sickle Middle School, one of the buildings to benefit from the price reduction.

Based on estimates released by the city, the largest projected annual savings will be for street and traffic lights, which will cost $526,122 each year.

Savings for specific buildings include $170,168 for the High School of Science and Technology; $144,510 for Gerena Community School; $126,275 for Chestnut Accelerated Middle School and $125,169 for Van Sickle and the Renaissance School, which share the same building on Carew Street.

Superintendent Daniel J. Warwick said $2 million in annual savings for school energy costs will be invested in school materials and building repairs, as well as tutoring and after-school programs emphasizing math and English skills.

“We’ve been expanding these programs each year, but this will allow us to do more,” he said.

Sarno and Warwick said credit for the savings belonged to T.J. Plante, the city’s acting chief administrative and financial officer; and Patrick Sullivan, director of parks, recreation and facilities management.

Plate, Sullivan and Phil Adams, executive director of World Energy Solutions Inc., joined Warwick and Sarno at the conference.